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What Gauge Wire?

T

Tim in New York

Member
Need to re-wire the headlights on my JD garden tractor. I have no idea what gauge to order. Can someone help? I want it to be bendable if possible, rather than so soft that it can hang loose and flop around unless its tied down in multiple spots.

Thanks,
Tim
 
14 gauge is a good choice.

But, you want it to be flexible because of the vibration. Never use solid wire!

The auto supply has low voltage flexible automotive wire. It is fine stranded with soft insulation, specifically designed for mobile applications. The wire at the building supply is designed to go inside conduit or in a wall, protected and stationary, not subject to movement or vibration.

The auto supply also has split plastic harness loom, it contains the wires and gives a professional look. Then secure the loom with rubber covered steel straps. They are the most permanent, plastic straps and zip ties will last a few years but eventually fail.

Solder and shrink tube at each connection further strengthens the connections and ensures the best protection from corrosion and breakage.
 
What battery voltage do you have and what wattage are the lights? Assuming two 35 watt lights, 12 volt system, that is 3 amps per light, 6 amps total. #16 gauge should be fine.
 
Go with the 14. Solder and use shrink tubing on all connections and end fittings/terminals. Don't depend on wire stiffness to control placement. There are easy to use adhesive (peel and stick to clean surfaces guides that do the real job. Don't make wires tight, allow 2 inches or more of slack to keep tension off the terminals/wires. if possible use matching colors or use ID tags (from the electrical supply store, or on line sources) Jim
 
Im with the other fine gents, 14 Gauge should well suffice (subject to max current of course). Automotive or even Marine Grade fine stranded copper using crimped and soldered terminals with shrink tubing overlay will make for a good trouble free connection.

John T
 
Go with the 14 ga. Buy an appropriate sized roll. Some 'soldercon' terminials are great for easy,fast waterproof commections/ All yoy need is a lighter or heat gun.
 
A lot of comments on how best to complete the connectors Im a big fan of liquid electrical tape. Great results in truly weather proofing your wiring.
 

Solder is a over kill and a waist of time Solder is just a feel good issue. Properly sized connectors and crimps for the wire used are the important things to consider. Heat shrink are heat shrink connectors are nice to have.

If you are worried about corrosion dip the wire ends in dielectric grease crimp and move on with life.
 
I solder all connections I can and have little trouble with connections being bad. 12wire would be better. Solder is not just a feel good thing. I've got many wires that were the crimp crap and were corroded or making poor connection in those places. As soon as they were soldered joints no more problem. I solder then grease and shrink tube them after I put a coat of the liquid electric tape on them.
 
I haven't solder wire connections yet due to visual problems but I do solder battery clamps to cables and heat shrink them also. What a difference in cranking speed.
 

Its a proven fact a proper crimp is superior but do your feel good thang if it makes you happy : )

A well done crimp is fast, easy, and permanent.
 
Beware of low-grade wire, crimp terminals, and crimpers. Don't even think about crimping wire terminals with regular pliers.

Good, inexpensive (when compared to mil-spec or aerospace-grade crimpers) will come from a brand such as AMP, Channellock, Klein, and T&B

The quick way to identify a low-grade insulated terminal is that its insulated sleeve is opaque (PVC vinyl), while a highest-grade terminal usually has a translucent (nylon) sleeve. The better terminals can usually be found at the big box stores -- usually at 2 to 3 times the price of the same-store low-grade terminals of the same size -- and are well worth the higher price.
 
I used to buy the bare connectors and use shrink tubing all soldered Now I crimp with my best crimper and shrink on top of the plastic Pull all wires in connectors to assure they are squeezed well. Good soldering gun is fifty bucks .Crimper 20
 
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